A recent study at Stanford found that not only is multitasking less productive than doing any given task individually, people who claim to be good at multitasking are actually the worst at it. (The study also showed that multitasking contributes to a lower IQ.)

What's the solution? Intentionality. Rather than trying to do three things at once, focus on each one, give it the time it deserves, and you'll find that you can get a whole lot more done.

2. Take a breather: meditate daily.

Just as multitasking lowers productivity and IQ, doing the exact opposite can actually increases productivity and IQ.

Meditation has been proven to enhance focus and improve memory. A study at the University of Kentucky found that meditating may actually restore synapses, which helps with not only memory, reasoning, and productivity, but the aging process itself.

3. Don't allow work to take over your life

Sounds counter-intuitive, right? Yet people who don't compromise their work-life balance and their hobbies are actually more productive and successful than those who do.

This isn't that surprising. Plenty of studies have shown that working too much leads to diminishing returns. Just like robots, even the biggest workaholics need to be recharged once in a while. That means setting aside some time for non-work-related pursuits.

What's the actionable takeaway?

Raise your hand if this story sounds familiar. You get back from vacation, and a colleague points out how many holidays people get in that country. Then they brag about how little time off they take by comparison.

Don't be that person. Instead, go and enjoy life when you get off work today. Not only will you have a blast — you'll be better at your job, too.